India’s cold chain industry is undergoing rapid transformation. Over the next five years (FY2025–FY2030), the market is projected to grow from ₹90,000 crore to ₹1.5–1.6 lakh crore, at a CAGR of 12–14%.
This growth is driven by organised food retail, seafood and meat exports, pharma, and agri-value chains. To support this, the Government of India has rolled out multiple initiatives under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY), encouraging infrastructure development, food safety, and cold chain innovation.
Growth Drivers of India’s Cold Chain Industry
- Rising Food Retail & E-commerce: Growing demand for fresh foods and quick- commerce delivery.
- Exports of Seafood & Meat: India is a major global exporter, requiring strong reefer logistics.
- Pharma Supply Chains: Temperature-controlled logistics is crucial for vaccines and medicines.
- Agri-Value Chains: Reducing farm-to-market losses with better storage and transport.
Creation of New Projects under PMKSY
- 372 projects have been created, offering 38 million metric tonnes (MMT) of storage capacity under PMKSY.
- This strengthens India’s food processing and distribution ecosystem.
New Approvals
- In 2020, 27 new projects were approved under PMKSY.
- These aim to expand cold chain coverage and reduce post-harvest losses.
Revised Financial Outlay
- In July 2025, the government announced a ₹6,520 crore outlay, with ₹1,920 crore dedicated to cold chain & food safety.
- This demonstrates ongoing investment in perishable supply chain infrastructure.
Foreign Investment
- PMKSY has attracted $1 billion (~₹8,000 crore) investment into cold chain infrastructure and mega food parks.
- These investments are creating jobs, reducing wastage, and enhancing export potential.
Opportunities for Logistics Players
With government support and rising demand, cold chain logistics is no longer a “back-end function” it’s now a critical enabler of India’s food and pharma industries.
- Reefer Transport Growth: Companies like Carryfresh Logistics, which specialize in temperature-controlled transport across South India, are well-positioned to benefit.
- Technology Adoption: Live tracking, temperature monitoring, and routeoptimization will define the next phase of cold chain efficiency.
- Secondary Distribution Leadership:FMCG companies increasingly rely on specialists in secondary reefer transport for timely last-mile delivery to distributors and retailers.
Conclusion
India’s cold chain industry is set for explosive growth between FY2025 and FY2030, with government support through schemes like PMKSY providing the necessary push. Investments, policies, and infrastructure development will not only reduce wastage but also unlock opportunities in food, pharma, and agri exports.
At Carryfresh Logistics, we are proud to contribute to this growth story by delivering reliable reefer transport solutions in South India, ensuring freshness, safety, and on-time delivery.
